![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/dkmmpk-tap-closeup-dripping-waterdrop-523685840-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nA MAJOR company could start offering discounts to customers using water at off-peak times.<\/p>\n
South West Water (SWW), which serves households in Devon and Cornwall, plans to launch new \u201cenvironmental tariffs\u201d aimed at encouraging bill payers to reduce their usage during the summer.<\/p>\n
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Under the tariffs, households would also be offered discounted rates over the winter months when there is less pressure on the network.<\/p>\n
It comes as SSW said some customers told the firm they were being charged too much in the summer when the region is swamped with tourists.<\/p>\n
The South West has seen its net population grow by 300,000 in the last 10 years, the second highest in the UK.<\/p>\n
It comes following the pandemic, as workers and retirees look to move away from cities to more rural locations.<\/p>\n
SWW said its new tariffs would be trialled first before any wider rollouts.<\/p>\n The firm said it will confirm details on who can apply, and how to, after an initial planning phase.<\/p>\n Any customers eligible for the tariffs will be contacted before any trial starts.<\/p>\n Laura\u00a0Flowerdew, South West Water\u2019s chief customer and digital officer, said: "We want to make sure our customers feel the bills they pay are fair for the services they use.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n "We are looking to work with our communities to run pilot schemes to understand what works well and what our customers consider to be fair ways of charging."<\/p>\n It comes after SWW, owned by Pennon Group, implemented a hosepipe ban in April in a bid to protect its supply for the summer, despite the wettest March for 42 years.<\/p>\n It saw 800,000 homes forbidden from watering gardens, lawns, cars and windows, or face fines of up to \u00a31,000.<\/p>\n At the time it warned the ban would stay in place until December, however it was lifted on September 25.<\/p>\n You'll want to do what you can to slash your water costs with household bills remaining stubbornly high.<\/p>\n Taking a shorter shower is one way you can do just that.<\/p>\n Water UK estimates spending four minutes in the shower could save a household of four \u00a3165 a year on their energy bills and \u00a3100 on their water bills.<\/p>\n Make sure you are fully loading up any appliances such as the dishwasher and washing machine too.<\/p>\n Plus, if you're a household which doesn't use much water, it might be worth having a meter installed.<\/p>\n One mum saved over \u00a3200 a year with one of the devices.<\/p>\n However, water meters charge you for the amount you use – so it might not be that cost-effective if you do go through a lot.<\/p>\n The Consumer Council for Water has a\u00a0free water meter calculator\u00a0that'll tell you how much you could save.<\/p>\n Plenty of water companies offer free water-saving devices that shave pounds off your bills.<\/p>\n Contact your supplier for more information or check out savewatersavemoney.co.uk.<\/p>\n Plus, you might be able to get free cash to cover the cost of bills.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/2023-range-store-slough-berkshire-844738818-1.jpg\")
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